Aqueous composition for livestock animals

ABSTRACT

Aqueous compositions and methods using the compositions for preventing or minimizing live body weight loss in livestock animals subjected to a prolonged period of feed deprivation, e.g., such as during the period before slaughter or during a period surrounding transportation from one location to another location (e.g., before, during and/or after), and/or for minimizing carcass weight loss or carcass yield loss, and/or meat quality deterioration and/or for preventing or minimizing deterioration of the well-being or health of livestock animals subjected to a prolonged period of feed deprivation, e.g., such as during the period before slaughter or during a period surrounding transportation from one location to another location (e.g., before, during and/or after).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/306,404 filed Nov. 30, 2018, which application is a national phaseentry under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Patent ApplicationPCT/NL2017/050376, filed Jun. 7, 2017, designating the United States ofAmerica and published in English as International Patent Publication WO2017/213502 A1 on Dec. 14, 2017, which claims the benefit under Article8 of the Patent Cooperation Treaty to The Netherlands Patent ApplicationSerial No. 2016909, filed Jun. 7, 2016. The contents of theseapplications are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application is in the field of livestock liquid supplements andmethods thereof for preventing or minimizing live body weight loss inlivestock animals subjected to a prolonged period of feed deprivation,e.g., such as during the period before slaughter or during a periodsurrounding transportation from one location to another location (e.g.,before, during and/or after), and/or for minimizing carcass weight lossor carcass yield loss, and/or meat quality deterioration and/or forpreventing or minimizing deterioration of the well-being or health oflivestock animals subjected to a prolonged period of feed deprivation,e.g., such as during the period before slaughter or during a periodsurrounding transportation from one location to another location (e.g.,before, during and/or after).

BACKGROUND

During the pre-slaughter period or during and/or after transportationfrom one location to another location, livestock animals (e.g., cattle,beef, poultry, etc.) are exposed to a range of challenging stimuliincluding handling stress, transport stress, changes in social structure(separation and mixing of groups), and feed deprivation. These stimuli,alone or in combination, may lead to loss of live body weight, whichoften translates into a lower carcass weight or yield and/or poor meatquality (e.g., after slaughter of the animal) or may jeopardize thewell-being or health of the animal (e.g., if not slaughtered).

Large efforts have been devoted to develop strategies for preventing ormitigating the negative effects of handling stress, transport stress,and/or feed deprivation in livestock animals, particularly during thepre-slaughter period or during periods surrounding transportation fromone location to another location (e.g., before, during and/or aftertransportation). Such strategies mainly involve manipulatingpre-slaughter nutrition and electrolyte management or manipulatingnutrition and electrolyte surrounding periods of transportation from onelocation to another location (e.g., before, during and/or aftertransport). In this respect, several feed supplements largely consistingof a mixture of electrolytes and amino acids have been developed. Forinstance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,968 describes nutrient supplement forlivestock consisting of one or more sources of certain electrolytes(e.g., sodium, potassium and magnesium), one or more sources of certainamino acids, e.g., alanine, lysine, phenylalanine, methionine,threonine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, tryptophan and glutamate andoptionally one or more sources of energy (e.g., glucose).

WO2004/047553 discloses a supplement for livestock animals comprisingelectrolytes selected from the group consisting of calcium, manganese,magnesium, potassium, and amino acids such as glycine and aspartic acid,and optionally vitamins B, C and E, arginine, histidine and cysteine,and trace minerals chromium, selenium, calcium, copper, iron and zinc.

However, the electrolytes-based feed supplements described above are notoptimal because such feed supplements are often reported to beineffective at alleviating or preventing the negative effects ofhandling stress transport stress, and/or feed deprivation in livestockanimals, such as during the pre-slaughter period or during periodssurrounding transportation from one location to another location (e.g.,before, during and/or after transportation) and/or ineffective atpreventing or minimizing live body weight loss, and/or carcass weightloss as well as poor meat quality as a result of prolonged feeddeprivation, such as for instance during the pre-slaughter period or areineffective at preventing or minimizing feed deprivation-induced effectson the well-being or health of livestock animals during periodssurrounding transportation from one location to another location (e.g.,before, during and/or after transportation).

Therefore, there is a need for compositions or improved compositions forlivestock animals (e.g., beef, poultry, such as broiler chickens) andmethods using the compositions, which are devoid of at least one of thelimitations mentioned above, and that are suitable for preventing orminimizing live body weight loss occurring as a result of feeddeprivation, e.g., such as during the pre-slaughter period or duringperiods surrounding transportation from one location to another location(e.g., before, during and/or after transportation), and/or that aresuitable for preventing or minimizing feed deprivation-induced carcassweight loss and/or carcass yield loss and/or meat quality deteriorationpost slaughter or that are suitable for preventing or minimizing feeddeprivation-induced effects on the well-being or health of livestockanimals during periods surrounding transportation from one location toanother location (e.g., before, during and/or after transportation)(dc).

BRIEF SUMMARY

In a first aspect, an aqueous composition for a livestock animalcomprising potassium and sodium is disclosed, wherein the potassium tosodium ratio is in the range of about 65:35 to about 95:05, and whereinthe composition is hypotonic or isotonic.

In an embodiment, the composition as taught herein may further compriseone or more electrolytes selected from magnesium, calcium, chloride,bicarbonate, acetate, propionate, sulphate and phosphate.

In an embodiment, the composition as taught herein may further compriseone or more gluconeogenic precursor.

In an embodiment, the gluconeogenic precursor may be selected fromglycerol, propylene glycol, dextrose, lactate, a glucogenic amino acid,and sugar, and may preferably be glycerol.

In an embodiment, the glucogenic amino acid may be selected fromalanine, glutamine, glycine, serine, valine, histidine, arginine,cysteine, proline, glutamate, aspartate, asparagine, methionine,phenylalanine, isoleucine, threonine, tyrosine and tryptophan.

In a preferred embodiment, the amino acid may be selected from alanineand glutamine.

In an embodiment, the sugar may be selected from sucrose and maltose.

In an embodiment, the composition as taught herein may further comprisean alkalinizing agent.

In an embodiment, the alkalinizing agent may be selected frompropionate, bicarbonate, citrate, carbonate, lactate and may preferablybe acetate and/or propionate anions.

In an embodiment, the livestock animal may be selected from ruminantsand monogastric animals.

In an embodiment, the ruminant may be selected from bovine, ovine andcaprine, may preferably be bovine (e.g., beef).

In an embodiment, the monogastric animal may be selected from poultry,swine, horses, and may preferably be poultry (e.g., broiler chicken).

In a further aspect, a concentrate suitable for the preparation of thecomposition as taught herein is disclosed that, when diluted in water,provides a composition as taught herein.

In an embodiment, the concentrate as taught herein may be about 5 to 30times, preferably about 20 times, more concentrated that the compositionas taught herein.

In a further aspect, a method for preventing or minimizing live bodyweight loss in livestock animals subjected to feed deprivation isdisclosed, comprising the step of:

-   -   administering to the livestock animal an effective amount of an        aqueous composition comprising potassium and sodium, wherein the        potassium to sodium ratio is in the range of about 65:35 to        about 95:05, and wherein the composition is hypotonic or        isotonic, at the onset of and/or during a period of feed        deprivation and/or after a period of feed deprivation has been        ended.

In an embodiment, the period of feed deprivation may be about 0.05 to 72hours, preferably about 1 to 48 hours, e.g., about 5 to 72 hours orabout 12 to 48 hours.

In a preferred embodiment, the period of feed deprivation may be priorto slaughter or prior transportation from one location to anotherlocation or during transportation from one location to another location.

In a further aspect, a method for minimizing carcass weight loss and/orfor minimizing meat quality deterioration is disclosed comprising thestep of:

-   -   administering a livestock animal with an effective amount of an        aqueous composition comprising potassium and sodium, wherein the        potassium to sodium ratio is in the range of about 65:35 to        about 95:05, and wherein the composition is hypotonic or        isotonic, within a period of about 5 to about 72 hours,        preferably about 12 to about 48 hours prior to slaughter or        within a period of about 0.05 to about 72 hours, preferably        about 1 to about 48 hours prior to transportation from one        location to another location; or within about 0.05 to about 72        hours, preferably about 1 to about 48 hours after transportation        from one location to another location; or within a period during        transportation from one location to another location.

In a further aspect, a method for preventing or minimizing deteriorationof the well-being or health of a livestock animal is disclosedcomprising the step of:

-   -   administering to the livestock animal an effective amount of an        aqueous composition comprising potassium and sodium, wherein the        potassium to sodium ratio is in the range of about 65:35 to        about 95:05, and wherein the composition is hypotonic or        isotonic, within a period of about 0.05 to about 72 hours,        preferably about 1 to about 48 hours prior to transportation        from one location to another location; or within a period of        about 0.05 to about 72 hours, preferably about 1 to about 48        hours after transportation from one location to another        location; or within a period during transportation from one        location to another location.

In an embodiment, the livestock animal may be selected from ruminantsand monogastric animals.

In an embodiment, the ruminant may be selected from bovine, ovine andcaprine, and may preferably be bovine (e.g., beef).

In an embodiment, the monogastric animal may be selected from poultry,swine, horses, and may preferably be poultry (e.g., broiler chickens).

In an embodiment relating to the methods as taught herein, thecomposition may further comprise one or more electrolytes selected frommagnesium, calcium, chloride, bicarbonate, acetate, propionate, sulphateand phosphate.

In an embodiment relating to the methods as taught herein, thecomposition may further comprise one or more gluconeogenic precursor.

In an embodiment relating to the methods as taught herein, thegluconeogenic precursor may be selected from glycerol, propylene glycol,dextrose, lactate, a glucogenic amino acid, and sugar, and preferably isglycerol.

In an embodiment relating to the methods as taught herein, theglucogenic amino acid may be selected from alanine, glutamine, glycine,serine, valine, histidine, arginine, cysteine, proline, glutamate,aspartate, asparagine, methionine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, threonine,tyrosine and tryptophan.

In an embodiment relating to the methods as taught herein, theglucogenic amino acid may be selected from alanine and glutamine.

In an embodiment relating to the methods as taught herein, the sugar maybe selected from sucrose and maltose.

In an embodiment relating to the methods as taught herein, thecomposition may further comprise an alkalinizing agent.

In an embodiment relating to the methods as taught herein, thealkalinizing agent may be selected from propionate, bicarbonate,citrate, carbonate, lactate and preferably acetate and/or propionateanions.

General Definitions

In the following description and examples, a number of terms are used.In order to provide a clear and consistent understanding of thespecification and claims, including the scope to be given to such terms,the following definitions are provided. Unless otherwise defined herein,all technical and scientific terms used have the same meaning ascommonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which thisdisclosure belongs. The disclosures of all publications, patentapplications, patents and other references are incorporated herein intheir entirety by reference.

The term “electrolyte(s)” as used herein refers to a substance thatproduces an electrically conducting solution when dissolved in a polarsolvent, such as water. The dissolved electrolyte separates into cationsand anions, which disperse uniformly through the solvent. If anelectrical potential (voltage) is applied to such a solution, thecations of the solution would be drawn to the electrode that has anabundance of electrons, while the anions would be drawn to the electrodethat has a deficit of electrons. The movement of anions and cations inopposite directions within the solution amounts to a current. Thisincludes most soluble salts, acids, and bases. In physiology, theprimary ions of electrolytes are sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), calcium(Ca₂ ⁺), magnesium (Mg₂ ⁺), chloride (Cl⁻), hydrogen phosphate (HPO₄²⁻), and hydrogen carbonate (also referred to as bicarbonate) (HCO₃ ⁻),acetate (CH₃CO₂ ⁻), propionate (C₂H₅COO⁻), sulphate (SO₄ ²⁻), andphosphate (PO₄ ⁻³). Electrolytes are usually provided in the form of asalt. Sodium is the main electrolyte found in extracellular fluid andpotassium is the main intracellular electrolyte; both are involved influid balance and blood pressure control. Magnesium ions interact withpolyphosphate compounds such as ATP, DNA, and RNA. Hundreds of enzymesrequire magnesium ions to function. Living animals (including humans)require a subtle and complex electrolyte balance between theintracellular and extracellular environment. In particular, themaintenance of precise osmotic gradients of electrolytes is important,i.e., are critical for nerve and muscle function. Electrolyte solutionsare normally formed when a salt is placed into a solvent, such as water,and the individual components dissociate due to the thermodynamicinteractions between solvent and solute molecules, in a process calledsolvation. For example, when table salt (sodium chloride), NaCl, isplaced in water, the salt (a solid) dissolves into its component ions,according to the dissociation reaction: NaCl(s)→Na⁺(aq)+Cl⁻(aq). Undernormal conditions, electrolyte balance is regulated by hormones, ingeneral with the kidneys flushing out excess levels. In humans andanimals, electrolyte homeostasis is regulated by hormones such asantidiuretic hormone, aldosterone and parathyroid hormone. Underpathological or disease states (diarrhea, vomiting, anorexia, bulimiaand others), electrolyte homeostasis may be regulated by oral, or inemergencies, intravenous intake of electrolyte-containing substances. Ifno treated or restored, serious electrolyte disturbances may lead tocardiac and neurological complications.

The term “livestock animal(s),” as used herein, refers to domesticatedanimals raised in an agricultural setting for commercial purposes (e.g.,meat, wool, milk, etc.). The term “livestock animal(s)” encompassescattle (e.g., beef), sheep, goats, swine, poultry (includingegg-producing poultry or broiler chickens), and equine animals used forfood. A livestock animal may be a ruminant (e.g., bovine (beef), ovine,or caprine) or a monogastric animal (e.g., swine, horse, or poultry).

The term “ruminants” or “ruminant animals,” as used herein, refers tomammals that are able to acquire nutrients from plant-based food throughfermentation in a specialized stomach chamber prior to digestion,principally through bacterial actions. The process typically requiresregurgitation of fermented ingesta (known as cud), and chewing it again.The process of rechewing the cud to further break down plant matter andstimulate digestion is called “rumination.” The primary differencebetween ruminant animals and non-ruminant animals (e.g., monogastricanimal) is that ruminant animals have a four-chambered stomach.Non-limiting examples of ruminants include bovine animals such as beefcattle, sheep, goats, buffalo, moose, elks, bison, giraffes, yak, deer,antelopes, dairy cattle, and the like.

The term “monogastric animal(s),” as used herein, refers to an animalhaving a simple single-chambered stomach, compared with a ruminantorganism, like a beef, cow, goat, or sheep, which has a four-chamberedcomplex stomach. Examples of monogastric animals include omnivores suchas humans, rats, dogs and pigs, and carnivores such as cats, andherbivores such as horses and rabbits.

The term “bovine animals” or “bovine,” as used herein, refers to avariety of bovine animals including cows, bulls (beef), steers, stags,heifers, calves, oxen, and the like. In this disclosure, bovine animalsinclude both domestic and wild bovine animals and male and female bovineanimals (particularly growing animals). Bovine animals may be of thegenus Bos, e.g., the species Bos taurus, Bos indicus, or the like.

The term “ovine animals” or “ovine,” as used herein, refers to animalsbelonging to the Ovis genus of mammals, which is part of thegoat-antelope subfamily of the ruminant family Bovidae. Non-limitingexamples of ovine animals include sheep, mouflon, urial, and the like.In this disclosure, ovine animals include both domestic and wild ovineanimals and male and female ovine animals (particularly growinganimals).

The term “caprine animals” or “caprine,” as used herein, refers toanimals belonging to the Capra genus of mammals, which is part of theCaprinae subfamily of the ruminant family Bovidae. Non-limiting examplesof caprine animals include goat, ibex, markhor and the like. In thisdisclosure, caprine animals include both domestic and wild caprineanimals and male and female caprine animals (particularly growinganimals).

The term “feed deprivation,” as used herein, refers to a prolongedperiod of time where a livestock animal does not eat any feed or food ordoes not receive any feed or does not have access to feed or anysubstance containing nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, andfats, that can be ingested by a living organism and metabolized intoenergy and body tissue. A livestock animal may be forced subjected to aperiod of feed deprivation, for instance, such as during thepre-slaughter period, or during a period surrounding transportation fromone location to another location (e.g., before, during and/or after) ormay be feed deprived as a result of illness or stress or (voluntary)refusal to eat feed. In this disclosure, the term “a period of feeddeprivation” refers to a period of time in the range of about 0.5 hourto about 72 hours, for instance, about 1 hour to about 72 hours, about10 to about 70 hours, about 15 to about 65 hours, about 20 to about 60hours, about 25 to about 55 hours, about 30 to about 50 hours, or about35 to about 45 hours, preferably about 12 hours to 48 hours, forinstance, about 16 to about 44 hours, about 20 to about 40 hours, about24 to about 36 hours, or about 28 to about 32 hours during which alivestock animal does not eat or does not receive or does not haveaccess to feed. Non-limiting consequence(s) of feed deprivation includeloss of live body weight, loss of carcass weight and/or poor meatquality as well as deterioration of the well-being or health of alivestock animal.

The term “pre-slaughter period” or “period prior to slaughter,” as usedherein, refers to a period of time in the range of about 5 hours toabout 72 hours, for instance, 10 to 70 hours, 15 to 65 hours, 20 to 60hours, 25 to 55 hours, 30 to 50 hours, or 35 to 45 hours, preferablyabout 12 hours to 48 hours, for instance, 16 to 44 hours, 20 to 40hours, 24 to 36 hours, or 28 to 32 hours prior to the slaughter of alivestock animal. During this period, livestock animals destined forslaughter may be transported from one location to another location.Prior transport, livestock animals typically do not have access to feedbut usually have access to water. During transport, livestock animalstypically do not have access to feed and may or may not have access towater (usually not). The term “pre-slaughter period” may also include apost-transport period, wherein the livestock animals are maintained atthe other location (e.g., the slaughter house) for a certain time, forinstance, 2 to 36 hours, 5 to 30 hours, 8 to 28 hours or 12 to 24 hours,prior to slaughter. During this period, livestock animals typically donot have access to feed but have access to water. The term“pre-slaughter period” also includes instances where the livestockanimals are not transported to another location before slaughter butremain where they are or are moved to a different pen or paddock in thesame property. Typically, livestock animals may be held in this locationfor a certain time, for instance, 2 to 36 hours, 5 to 30 hours, 8 to 28hours or 12 to 24 hours, prior slaughter and do not have access to feedbut usually have access to water during this period.

The term “during periods surrounding transportation” as used hereinrefers to periods before, during or after transportation of a livestockanimal from one location to another location. The term “period beforetransportation” or “pre-transportation period” refers to a period oftime in the range of about 0.05 hour to about 72 hours, for instance,about 1 hour to about 72 hours, about 5 to about 70 hours, about 10 toabout 65 hours, about 20 to about 60 hours, about 25 to about 55 hours,about 30 to about 50 hours, or about 35 to about 45 hours, preferablyabout 12 hours to about 48 hours, for instance, about 16 to about 44hours, about 20 to about 40 hours, about 24 to about 36 hours, or about28 to about 32 hours prior to transporting a livestock animal from onelocation to another location.

The term “after transportation” or “post-transportation period” refersto a period of time in the range of about 0.5 hours to about 72 hours,for instance, about 1 to about 72 hours, about 5 to about 70 hours,about 10 to about 70 hours, about 15 to about 65 hours, about 20 toabout 60 hours, about 25 to about 55 hours, about 30 to about 50 hours,or about 35 to about 45 hours, preferably about 12 hours to about 48hours, for instance, about 16 to about 44 hours, about 20 to about 40hours, about 24 to about 36 hours, or about 28 to about 32 hours aftertransporting a livestock animal from one location to another location.

The term “period during transportation” refers to any period of timeduring transportation of a livestock animal from one location to anotherlocation. It is understood that the length of the period will depend onthe time it takes to transport a livestock animal from one location toanother. For instance, if the total time needed to transport a livestockanimal from one location to another is 3 hours, the “a period duringtransportation” may be 3 hours, or the first hour of transportation orthe last hour of transportation, and so on, etc.

In an embodiment, the duration of the feed deprivation period issubstantially the same as the duration of the pre-slaughter period orthe pre-transport period, i.e., about 0.05 hour to about 72 hours, forinstance, about 1 hour to about 72 hours, about 10 to about 70 hours,about 15 to about 65 hours, about 20 to about 60 hours, about 25 toabout 55 hours, about 30 to about 50 hours, or about 35 to about 45hours, preferably about 12 hours to about 48 hours, for instance, about16 to about 44 hours, about 20 to about 40 hours, about 24 to about 36hours, or about 28 to about 32 hours. In an embodiment, the duration ofthe feed deprivation period is substantially the same as the periodduring transportation, i.e., the total time it takes to transport alivestock animal from one location to another location.

The term “osmolarity” or “osmotic concentration,” as used herein, refersto the measure of solute concentration, defined as the number of osmoles(Osm) of solute per liter (L) of solution (osmol/L or Osm/L). Theosmolarity of a solution is usually expressed as Osm/L (pronounced“osmolar”), in the same way that the molarity of a solution is expressedas “M” (pronounced “molar”). Whereas molarity measures the number ofmoles of solute per unit volume of solution, osmolarity measures thenumber of osmoles of solute particles per unit volume of solution. Thisvalue allows the measurement of the osmotic pressure of a solution andthe determination of how the solvent will diffuse across a semipermeablemembrane (osmosis) separating two solutions of different osmoticconcentration. Osmolarity is distinct from molarity because it measuresosmoles of solute particles rather than moles of solute. The distinctionarises because some compounds can dissociate in solution, whereas otherscannot. Ionic compounds, such as salts, can dissociate in solution intotheir constituent ions, so there is not a one-to-one relationshipbetween the molarity and the osmolarity of a solution. For example,sodium chloride (NaCl) dissociates into Na+ and Cl− ions. Thus, forevery 1 mole of NaCl in solution, there are 2 osmoles of soluteparticles (i.e., a 1 mol/L NaCl solution is a 2 osmol/L NaCl solution).Both sodium and chloride ions affect the osmotic pressure of thesolution. Non-ionic compounds do not dissociate, and form only 1 osmoleof solute per 1 mole of solute. For example, a 1 mol/L solution ofglucose is 1 osmol/L. Multiple compounds may contribute to theosmolarity of a solution. For example, a 3 Osm solution might consistof: 3 moles glucose, or 1.5 moles NaCl, or 1 mole glucose+1 mole NaCl,or 2 moles glucose+0.5 mole NaCl, or any other such combination. Theskilled person is well-acquainted with the concept of osmolarity and caneasily determine the osmolarity of a composition or solution usingconventional formulas, for instance, such as set out below:

Osmolarity = ∑v_(i)c_(i)

where v_(i) is the number of particles formed by the dissociation of onemolecule of the i^(th) solute; and c_(i) is the molar concentration ofthe i^(th) solute in solution.

The term “effective solute” or “non-penetrating solute,” as used herein,refers to a solute (e.g., NaCl) that can exert an osmotic force across amembrane. In other words, an effective solute is one that cannot cross,for instance, the membrane of a cell and as a result will cause a watermovement either inside or outside the cell. Non-limiting examples ofeffective solutes include sodium ions, potassium ions, chloride ions,magnesium ions.

The term “ineffective solute,” as used herein, refers to a solute (e.g.,glycerol, glucose), which does not exert an osmotic force across amembrane. In other words, an ineffective solute is one that can cross,for instance, the membrane of a cell and as a result will not cause awater movement either inside or outside the cell. Non-limiting exampleof ineffective solutes include glycerol, glucose, urea and others.

The term “tonicity,” as used herein, refers to a measure of theeffective osmotic pressure gradient (as defined by the water potentialof the two solutions) of two solutions separated by a semipermeablemembrane. In other words, tonicity is the relative concentration of theeffective solutes that determine the direction and extent of diffusion.It is commonly used when describing the response of cells immersed in anexternal solution. Tonicity is influenced only by solutes that cannotcross the membrane (i.e., effective solutes), as only these exert aneffective osmotic pressure. Such solutes are referred to as “effectivesolutes” or “non-penetrating solutes.” Solutes able to freely cross themembrane do not affect tonicity because they will always be in equalconcentrations on both sides of the membrane. Such solutes are referredto as “ineffective solutes.”

In this disclosure, when the composition as taught herein solelycontains effective solutes (i.e., solutes not capable of penetrating themembrane, e.g., cell membrane), the tonicity of the solution willparallel its osmolarity relative to the cell such that a hyposmoticsolution will also be an hypotonic solution or an isosmotic solutionwill also be an isotonic or a hyperosmotic solution will also be anhypertonic solution.

In this disclosure, when the composition as taught herein contains amixture of effective (non-penetrating) and ineffective (penetrating)solutes, tonicity will be influenced solely by the effective solutespresent in the composition. In other words, water will move towards thearea where the highest concentration of effective (non-penetrating)solutes is, for instance, outside the cells. In this case, theconcentration of the ineffective (penetrating) solutes will have noimpact on tonicity of the composition. Therefore, in certainembodiments, one or more ineffective solutes may be added to thecompositions as taught herein without affecting tonicity, irrespectiveof their effect on osmolarity (e.g., even if they cause osmolarity to begreater than 300 mosm/L).

The skilled person is well-acquainted with the concept of tonicity andcan easily determine the tonicity of a composition or solution. Thereare three classifications of tonicity that one solution can haverelative to a cell, namely: 1) isotonic, 2) hypertonic, and 3)hypotonic.

The term “isotonic composition,” as used herein, refers to a compositionhaving a concentration of effective solutes, primarily related to theconcentrations of the electrolytes, in an amount that is notsignificantly different than the concentration of that ingredient foundin the physiological fluids of the animal (e.g., livestock animal) suchas plasma, interstitial and intracellular fluids. In biology, anisotonic solution is one that has an effective osmole concentration thatis the same as the solute concentration of a cell. In this case the cellneither swells nor shrinks because there is no concentration gradientfor water across the cell membrane. Water molecules diffuse through theplasma membrane in both directions, and as the rate of water diffusionis the same in each direction that cell will neither gain nor losewater. A non-limiting example of isotonic solution is a physiologicalsaline solution (also know as isotonic saline), i.e., a solution of0.90% w/v of NaCl, having an osmolarity of 308 mOsm/L.

The term “hypertonic composition,” as used herein, refers to acomposition having a concentration of effective solutes, primarilyrelated to the concentrations of the electrolytes, in an amount that isgreater than the concentration of that ingredient found in thephysiological fluids of the animal such as plasma, interstitial andintracellular fluids. In biology, a hypertonic solution is one with ahigher concentration of solutes outside the cell than inside the cell.When a cell is immersed into a hypertonic solution, the tendency is forwater to flow out of the cell in order to balance the concentration ofthe solutes. Likewise, the cytosol of the cell is conversely categorizedas hypotonic, opposite of the outer solution. A non-limiting example ofhypertonic solution would be a saline solution that has more than 0.90%w/v of NaCl and an osmolarity greater than 308 mOsm/L.

The term “hypertonic composition,” as used herein, refers to acomposition having a concentration of effective solutes, primarilyrelated to the concentrations of the electrolytes, in an amount that islower than the concentration of that ingredient found in thephysiological fluids of the animal such as plasma, interstitial andintracellular fluids. In biology, a hypotonic solution has a lowerconcentration of solutes outside the cell than inside the cell. In anattempt to balance the concentrations of solutes inside and outside thecell, water will typically go into the cell, and may cause it to burstin extreme cases. A non-limiting example of hypotonic solution would bea saline solution that has less than 0.90% w/v of NaCl and an osmolaritylower than 308 mOsm/L. In an embodiment, a hypotonic composition astaught herein has a minimum concentration of 3 grams of electrolytes perliter of water.

The term “carcass weight” (also known as “dressed weight”) refers to theweight of an animal post slaughter, after removing all the internalorgans and head, as well as inedible (or less desirable) portions of thetail and legs. In this disclosure, increased carcass weight is alsoreferred to as “increased carcass yield,” e.g., more meat is harvested.

The term “alkalinizing agent(s),” as used herein, refers to compounds orsubstances suitable for restoring the alkalinity (i.e., the amount ofalkali or base in a solution, which is often expressed in terms of pH)of a solution or blood. In biology, alkalinizing agents are often usedto manage disorders associated with low pH of the blood, e.g., fortreating acidosis due to renal failure. Non-limiting examples ofalkalinizing agents include anions of, as well as any salts thereof,propionate, bicarbonate (e.g., sodium bicarbonate), citrate (e.g.,potassium citrate), carbonate (e.g., calcium carbonate), lactate (e.g.,sodium lactate), acetate (e.g., calcium acetate), and others. Propionateand sodium bicarbonate are non-limiting examples of commonly preferredalkalinizing agents.

The term “gluconeogenic precursor(s),” as used herein, refers tocompounds or substances involved in the gluconeogenesis metabolicpathway that results in the generation of glucose in a living organism.Non-limiting examples of gluconeogenic precursor(s), include glycerol,propylene glycol, dextrose, lactate, propionate, glucogenic amino acidssuch as alanine, glutamine, glycine, serine, valine, histidine,arginine, cysteine, proline, glutamate, aspartate, asparagine,methionine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, threonine, tyrosine ortryptophan, and sugars (e.g., sucrose, maltose). In this disclosure, oneor more gluconeogenic precursors may be added to the compositions astaught herein for the purpose of providing a livestock animal with asource of energy to help sustain metabolic functions and/or spare muscleglycogen, for instance, during a period of feed deprivation such asduring the pre-slaughter period. In a suitable embodiment, thegluconeogenic precursor is an ineffective solute.

The term “live body weight or mass” (usually expressed in kg), as usedherein, refers to the body weight or mass of a livestock animal whilestill alive, e.g., just before slaughter or during a period surroundingtransportation from one location to another location (e.g., before,during and/or after transportation). In this disclosure, the live bodyweight of a livestock animal is the body weight before slaughter orduring a period surrounding transportation from one location to anotherlocation (e.g., before or after transportation or at any time during thetransportation period), e.g., about 0.05 hour to about 72 hours, forinstance, about 1.0 hour to about 72 hours, for instance, about 10 toabout 70 hours, about 15 to about 65 hours, about 20 to about 60 hours,about 25 to about 55 hours, about 30 to about 50 hours, or about 35 toabout 45 hours, preferably about 12 hours to about 48 hours, forinstance, about 16 to about 44 hours, about 20 to about 40 hours, about24 to about 36 hours, or about 28 to about 32 hours before slaughter orduring a period surrounding transportation from one location to anotherlocation (e.g., before or after transportation or at any time during thetransportation period). Typically, a feed deprivation-induced decreasein live body weight in a livestock animal translates into or correlateswith a decrease in carcass weight or carcass yield after slaughter ofthe livestock animal and/or deterioration of the well-being or health ofthe livestock animal (e.g., deterioration of the physiological conditionin terms of body weight, muscle mass, fur, wool, hair, skin, appetite,reflexes, digestion, etc.) and/or medical or health state (e.g.,presence or absence of diseases or infections etc.) after a period oftransportation from one location to another location.

The term “well-being” or “health” of a livestock animal as used hereinrefers to a general term for the condition of an animal (e.g., livestockanimal) in terms of its social (e.g., social behavior), psychological(e.g., mental alertness), physiological (e.g., body weight, muscle mass,fur, wool, hair, skin, appetite, reflexes, digestion, etc.) and/ormedical or health state (e.g., presence or absence of diseases orinfections etc.).

The term “about,” as used herein, indicates a range of normal tolerancein the art, for example, within 2 standard deviations of the mean. Theterm “about” can be understood as encompassing values that deviate atmost 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, 0.05%, or0.01% of the indicated value.

The terms “comprising” or “to comprise” and their conjugations, as usedherein, refer to a situation wherein the terms are used in theirnon-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included,but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. It alsoencompasses the more limiting verbs “to consist essentially of” and “toconsist of.”

Reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” or “an” does notexclude the possibility that more than one of the elements is present,unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one ofthe elements. The indefinite article “a” or “an” thus usually means “atleast one.”

The term “test livestock animal,” as used herein, refers to a livestockanimal (e.g., beef, poultry such as broiler chickens) administered withcompositions as taught herein. The term “control livestock animal”refers to a livestock animal (e.g., beef, poultry such as broilerchickens) not administered with a composition as taught herein oradministered with water or a composition wherein the potassium to sodiumratio is lower than one. In an embodiment of this disclosure, thecontrol livestock animal is a livestock animal (e.g., beef or poultrysuch as broiler chicken) not administered with any composition oradministered with water or a composition wherein the potassium to sodiumratio is lower than one, preferably of the same genus and/or species asthe test livestock animal (e.g., beef or poultry such as broilerchickens).

In this disclosure, the terms “to minimize” and “minimized live bodyweight loss” or “minimized carcass weight loss” or “minimized carcassyield loss” of a livestock animal (e.g., beef, poultry such as broilerchickens), as used herein refer to the ability to significantly minimizeor to have significantly minimized live body weight loss or carcassweight loss or carcass yield loss of a test livestock animal compared tothe live body weight loss or carcass weight loss or carcass yield lossof a control livestock animal. Generally, the live body weight loss orcarcass weight loss or carcass yield loss of a test livestock animal isminimized when it is at least 5%, such as at least 10%, 15%, 25%, 30%,35%, 40%, 45%, or 50% less than the corresponding live body weight lossor carcass weight loss or carcass yield loss of a control livestockanimal. For example, a livestock animal subjected to a prolonged feeddeprivation, for instance, during the pre-slaughter period or during aperiod surrounding transportation (e.g., before, during or aftertransportation), loses about 5% of its live body weight, whereas a testlivestock animal treated with the composition as taught herein losesless live body weight, e.g., only 3% of its live body weight loss,resulting in 40% less live body weight loss than would normally occur.

Carcass weight or carcass yield may be considered increased when thecarcass weight or yield of a test livestock animal (i.e., administeredwith the composition as taught herein it is at least 0.5%, such as atleast 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 3%, 3.5%, 4.0%, 4.5%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, or10% or more, higher than the corresponding carcass weight or carcassyield of a control livestock animal.

Alternatively or additionally, the live body weight loss or carcassweight loss or carcass yield loss of a test livestock animal may beincreased or decreased when it is statistically significantly minimizedcompared to the live body weight loss or carcass weight loss or carcassyield loss of a control livestock animal.

The term “meat quality deterioration,” as used herein, refers to adeterioration in meat quality. The perception of meat's juiciness ordryness depends on the binding of water to muscle proteins, and thisprocess is influenced by pH. Water-holding capacity is best in meat witha pH of around 5.8. A pH that is too low or too high results in lessthan desirable meat. After slaughter, when muscle turns into meat,glycogen is broken down to lactic acid, which causes the pH to decrease.In general, prolonged feed deprivation such as during the pre-slaughterperiod or during a period surrounding transportation from one locationto another location (e.g., before, during and/or after) affects meatquality, for instance, taste, color, juiciness, tenderness, dryness, andthe like, thereby making the meat less attractive to consumers. Whenmeat quality deterioration is minimized, it means that the meat qualityis perceived to be of higher quality by consumers. In contrast, meatquality may be considered improved when the meat is perceived to be ofhigher quality by consumers.

In this disclosure, the term “to prevent or minimize live body weightloss or carcass weight loss or carcass yield loss during thepre-slaughter period or during periods surrounding transportation fromone location to another location (e.g., before, during and/or aftertransportation),” as used herein, refers to substantially no changes inlive body weight loss or carcass weight loss or carcass yield lossduring the pre-slaughter period or during periods surroundingtransportation from one location to another location (e.g., before,during and/or after transportation).

In this disclosure, the term “preventing or minimizing feeddeprivation-induced effects on the well-being or health of a livestockanimal during periods surrounding transportation of the livestock animalfrom one location to another location (e.g., before, during and/or aftertransportation)” as used herein refers to substantially no changes inthe well-being or health of the livestock animal during periodssurrounding transportation from one location to another location (e.g.,before, during and/or after transportation), (e.g., no substantialchange in the physiological condition of the livestock animal in termsof body weight, muscle mass, fur, wool, hair, skin, appetite, reflexes,digestion, etc.) and/or its medical or health state (e.g., presence orabsence of diseases or infections etc.).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: Effect of aqueous compositions with varying potassium to sodiumratio on the live body weight of Holstein bulls subjected to a 24-hourfeed deprivation period.

FIG. 2: Effect of aqueous compositions with varying total electrolyteosmolarity on the live body weight of Holstein bulls subjected to a48-hour feed deprivation period.

FIG. 3: Effect of aqueous compositions with varying glycerol levels (%)on the live body weight of Holstein bulls subjected to a 48-hour feeddeprivation period.

FIG. 4: Effect of the aqueous composition according to this disclosureon the live body weight loss in Holstein bulls subjected to a 48-hourfeed deprivation period.

FIG. 5: Effect of the aqueous composition according to this disclosureon carcass weight, post slaughter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Existing electrolyte-based feed supplement compositions for livestockanimals are characterized in that they are more concentrated in sodiumthan potassium, i.e., wherein the ratio of sodium to potassium isgreater than one (e.g., selectrolyte, solulyte concentrate, glucotrans,and others).

The present inventors surprisingly found that an electrolyte-basedliquid composition, which is more concentrated in potassium than sodium(i.e., wherein the molar ratio of potassium to sodium is greater thanone), and which is (as a whole) isotonic or hypotonic, can efficientlyprevent or minimize live body weight loss in livestock animals (e.g.,beefs, poultry such as broiler chickens, etc.) during a period ofprolonged feed deprivation (e.g., such as during the pre-slaughterperiod or during period surrounding transportation from one location toanother location (e.g., before, during and/or after transportation) incontrast to traditional electrolyte-based compositions (i.e., whereinthe sodium to potassium molar ratio is greater than one). It was furtherfound that administering a livestock animal (e.g., beefs, poultry suchas broiler chickens, etc.) with a composition according to thedisclosure, prior to slaughter, leads to increased carcass weight orcarcass yield as well as improved meat quality compared to what isachieved with traditional compositions. It was also found thatadministering a livestock animal (e.g., beefs, poultry such as broilerchickens, etc.) with a composition according to the disclosure during aperiod surrounding transportation from one location to another location(e.g., before, during or after transportation), leads to improvedwell-being or health of livestock animal during periods surroundingtransportation from one location to another location (e.g., before,during and/or after transportation) compared to what is achieved withtraditional compositions.

Without wishing to be bound to any theories, it is believed that thecompositions of this disclosure are particularly well-suited forsituations involving a prolonged period of feed deprivation, such asduring the pre-slaughter period or during periods surroundingtransportation from one location to another location (e.g., before,during or after transportation). During the pre-slaughter period orperiods surrounding transportation from one location to another location(e.g., before, during or after transportation), livestock animals areoften held in an environment without feed for a prolonged period, e.g.,from about 0.05 hours to 72 hours or about 5 hours to about 72 hours.This causes the livestock animals to loose or excrete potassium via thekidneys at a greater rate than sodium. This in turn causes a disruptionof the osmotic balance between the intracellular and extracellularmilieu, driving water out of the cells, ultimately leading to live bodyweight loss, carcass weight or yield loss and/or poor meat quality aswell as deterioration of the well-being or health of the livestockanimal. It was surprisingly found that live body weight loss, carcassweight loss and/or meat quality deterioration as well as deteriorationof the well-being or health of the livestock animal could be preventedor minimized by administering the composition of this disclosure to alivestock animal prior to slaughter (e.g., about 0.05 hours to about 72hours, for instance, about 5 hours to about 72 hours before slaughter)or during a period surrounding transportation (e.g., about 0.05 hours toabout 72 hours before transportation; or, e.g., about 5 hours to about72 hours after transportation; or, e.g., during transportation such asat any time point during the transportation period).

Aqueous Compositions

In a first aspect, an aqueous composition for a livestock animalcomprising potassium and sodium is disclosed, wherein the potassium tosodium ratio is greater than one, such as, for instance, a ratio of55:45, 60:40, 65:35, 70:30, 75:25, 80:20, 85:15, 90:10 or 95:05, andwherein the composition is hypotonic or isotonic.

In this disclosure, the composition as taught herein is considered“hypotonic” when its osmolarity is greater than about 100 mosm/L andlower than about 320 mosm/L, e.g., between about 100 and about 300mosm/L or between about 105 and about 295 mosm/L or between about 110and about 290 mosm/L or between about 120 and about 280 mosm/L orbetween about 130 and about 270 mosm/L or between about 140 and about260 mosm/L or between about 150 and about 250 mosm/L or between about160 and about 240 mosm/L or between about 170 and about 230 mosm/L orbetween about 180 and about 220 mosm/L or about 190 and about 210mosm/L.

In this disclosure, the composition as taught herein is considered“isotonic” when its osmolarity is about around 300 mosm/L.

In an embodiment, the potassium to sodium ratio is in the range of about65:35 to about 95:05, such as 65:35, 70:30, 75:25, 80:20, 85:15, 90:10or 95:05, preferably at least 75:25. The present inventors found thatwhen a livestock animal (e.g., a beef or a poultry such as a broilerchicken) is administered with the composition as taught herein (i.e.,having a potassium to sodium ratio is greater than one), the negativeimpact of prolonged feed deprivation (e.g., during the pre-slaughterperiod or during a period surrounding transportation (e.g., before,during or after transportation) on live body weight loss was minimizedor prevented or counteracted in the livestock animal compared to alivestock animal not administered with the composition of thisdisclosure or that is administered with a composition wherein thepotassium to sodium ratio is lower than one. It was also found that thecarcass weight loss or carcass yield loss as well as meat qualitydeterioration associated with prolonged feed deprivation (e.g., duringthe pre-slaughter period) was minimized or prevented or counteracted inthe livestock animal compared to a livestock animal not administeredwith the composition of this disclosure or that is administered with acomposition wherein the potassium to sodium ratio is lower than one. Itwas also found that the deterioration of the well-being or healthassociated with prolonged feed deprivation (e.g., during thepre-slaughter period) was minimized or prevented or counteracted in thelivestock animal compared to a livestock animal not administered withthe composition of this disclosure or that is administered with acomposition wherein the potassium to sodium ratio is lower than one.

It was found that the effects of the compositions as taught herein onfeed deprivation-induced live body weight loss, carcass weight lossand/or carcass yield loss, meat quality deterioration, as well asdeterioration of the well-being or health of a livestock animal werefurther enhanced when the potassium to sodium ratio was in the range ofabout 65:35 to about 95:05, such as 65:35, 70:30, 75:25, 80:20, 85:15,90:10 or 95:05. Particularly good results (i.e., minimized carcassweight loss or yield, improved meat quality, as well as improvedwell-being or health) were observed when the potassium to sodium ratiowas in the range of at least 75:25.

It was further observed that when the composition as taught herein(i.e., having the potassium to sodium ratio as described above) is in anisotonic state (i.e., a composition, which as a whole, will not causeany significant water movement inside or outside the cells of anorganism), its effects on feed deprivation-induced live body weightloss, carcass weight loss and/or carcass yield loss, minimized meatquality deterioration as well as well as deterioration of the well-beingor health of a livestock animal were further enhanced. Therefore, thecompositions as taught herein, when in an isotonic state, may beparticularly advantageous to prevent or reduce the severity oroccurrence of feed deprivation-induced live body weight loss and/orcarcass weight or yield loss, poor meat quality as well as deteriorationof the well-being or health of a livestock animal (e.g., beef, poultrysuch as broiler chickens) during a period of prolonged feed deprivation,such as, for instance, during the pre-slaughter period or during periodssurrounding transport (e.g., before, during or after) to the slaughterhouse or to other locations or other instances involving prolonged feeddeprivation.

It was further observed that when the composition as taught herein(i.e., having the potassium to sodium ratio as described above) is in anhypotonic state (i.e., a composition, which as a whole, will cause waterto go inside the cells of an organism, e.g., beef), its effects on feeddeprivation-induced carcass weight loss or carcass yield loss, poor meatquality, as well as deterioration of the well-being or health of alivestock animal were further enhanced. Therefore, the compositions ofthe disclosure, when in an hypotonic state, may be particularlyadvantageous to prevent or reduce the severity or occurrence of feeddeprivation-induced live body weight loss and/or carcass weight or yieldloss, poor meat quality as well as deterioration of the well-being orhealth of a livestock animal during a period of prolonged feeddeprivation, such as, for instance, during the pre-slaughter period orduring periods surrounding transport (e.g., before, during and/or after)to the slaughter house or other locations other instances involvingprolonged feed deprivation.

In an embodiment, the composition as taught herein (i.e., having apotassium to sodium ratio greater than one and that is, as a whole,isotonic or hypotonic) may further comprise one or more electrolytesselected from magnesium, calcium, chloride, bicarbonate or carbonate,acetate, propionate, sulphate and phosphate.

In a preferred embodiment, the composition as taught herein comprises atleast magnesium. It was surprisingly observed that adding magnesium tothe compositions as taught herein improved the efficacy of thecompositions as taught herein, i.e., better prevented loss in live bodyweight and/or loss in carcass weight or yield as well as deteriorationof the well-being or health or reduced or minimized the loss in livebody weight and/or carcass weight or yield as well as deterioration ofthe well-being or health of a livestock animal, as would normally occurin response to a prolonged period of feed deprivation.

In a further preferred embodiment, the composition as taught herein mayfurther comprise ions of magnesium, chloride, carbonate or bicarbonate,and/or acetate.

In an embodiment, the total amount of effective electrolytes (i.e.,non-penetrating or effective solutes) that is present in the compositionas taught herein (i.e., having a potassium to sodium ratio greater thanone and that is, as a whole, isotonic or hypotonic) has an osmolarity inthe range of about 100 to about 320, 310, or 300 mosm/L, such as, forinstance, 125 to 275 mosm/L, 150 to 250 mosm/L, or 175 to 225 mosm/L.For example, when the composition as taught herein comprises a potassiumsalt and a sodium salt as the sole electrolytes, the osmolarity of thetotal electrolytes (i.e., potassium salt and sodium salt) is in therange of about 100 to about 300 mosm/L, such as, for instance, 125 to275 mosm/L, 150 to 250 mosm/L, or 175 to 225 mosm/L. In a furtherexample, when the composition as taught herein comprises potassium salt,sodium salt and magnesium salt as the sole electrolytes, the osmolarityof the total electrolytes (i.e., potassium salt, sodium salt andmagnesium salt) is in the range of about 100 to about 300 mosm/L, suchas, for instance, 125 to 275 mosm/L, 150 to 250 mosm/L, or 175 to 225mosm/L., and so on. Therefore, it is understood that it is the totalamount of electrolytes (e.g., potassium, sodium, magnesium) present inthe composition of the disclosure that has an osmolarity in the range ofabout 100 to about 300 mosm/L, such as, for instance, 125 to 275 mosm/L,150 to 250 mosm/L, or 175 to 225 mosm/L, and not the composition as awhole.

In an embodiment, the composition as taught herein may have anosmolarity that exceeds 300 mosm/L when comprising an additionalcompound that is an ineffective solute (penetrating solute). One exampleof such ineffective solute is glycerol. Glycerol contributes to theosmolarity of the composition, but does not have any effect on thetonicity of the composition taught herein. For instance, the compositionas taught herein may comprise a concentration of electrolytes such aspotassium salts and sodium salts, which are effective solutes having atotal osmolarity of about 300 mosm/L, and may further comprise anineffective solute such as glycerol. Despite increasing the osmolaritybeyond 300 mosm/L, such composition would still be isotonic.

In an embodiment, when the composition as taught herein compriseseffective solutes only, the osmolarity may not exceed 320, 310, or 300mosm/L. For instance, the composition as taught herein may comprise aconcentration of effective solutes such as potassium salts and sodiumsalts having a total osmolarity of about 150 mosm/L and may furthercomprise another effective solute, such as magnesium salts, having anosmolarity of 150 mosm/L. In this case, the osmolarity of thecomposition as a whole does not exceed 300 mosm/L.

In an embodiment, the composition as taught herein further comprises oneor more gluconeogenic precursor. It was found that it may beadvantageous to add one or more gluconeogenic precursors to thecomposition as taught herein to provide a source of energy to thelivestock animal during a period of feed deprivation, such as during thepre-slaughter period or periods surrounding transportation from onelocation to another (e.g., before, during and/or after). Specifically,it was found that adding one or more gluconeogenic precursors in thecomposition as taught herein better prevented or minimized live bodyweight loss, and/or carcass weight loss or carcass yield loss, meatquality deterioration as well as deterioration of the well-being orhealth associated with prolonged period of feed deprivation. Anysuitable gluconeogenic precursor may be added to the compositions ofthis disclosure.

In an embodiment, the one or more gluconeogenic precursors are selectedfrom glycerol, propylene glycol, dextrose, lactate, amino acid, andsugar, and others.

In an embodiment, the amino acid may be any glucogenic amino acid. In apreferred embodiment, the amino acid is selected from alanine andglutamine.

In an embodiment, the sugar may be any sugars, such as sucrose, maltose,glucose or dextrose, fructose, galactose, lactose and the like. In apreferred embodiment, the sugar is selected from sucrose and maltose.

In a preferred embodiment, the one or more gluconeogenic precursors doesnot affect the tonicity of the composition as taught herein, i.e., thecomposition remains isotonic or hypotonic, i.e., such gluconeogenicprecursors are ineffective solutes. Non-limiting example of suchgluconeogenic precursor include glycerol and propylene glycol. It willbe appreciated that when adding a gluconeogenic precursor such asglycerol, the tonicity of the composition as taught herein will not bechanged or affected despite a change in osmolarity.

In an embodiment, the one or more gluconeogenic precursors may affectthe tonicity of the composition as taught herein, i.e., they areeffective solutes. The addition of such compound into the composition astaught herein would contribute to or affect the tonicity of thecomposition.

In a preferred embodiment, the gluconeogenic precursor may be glycerol.It was found that adding glycerol to the compositions of the disclosuremay be particularly advantageous because it further improved theefficacy of the compositions in terms of preventing and/or minimizingfeed deprivation-induced live body weight loss and/or carcass weightloss or carcass yield loss, quality deterioration (i.e., meat qualitywas improved) as well as deterioration of the well-being or health oflivestock animals prior to slaughter or during periods surroundingtransportation from one location to another location (e.g., before,during and/or after).

In an embodiment, the composition as taught herein may further compriseone or more alkalinizing agents. It was found that it may beadvantageous to add one or more alkalinizing agents to the compositionas taught herein to prevent disturbances or help normalize blood pH inlivestock animal subjected to prolonged feed deprivation, such as duringthe pre-slaughter period or during periods surrounding transportation(e.g., before, during and/or after). Prolonged feed deprivation inanimals (e.g., livestock animals) may lead to a condition referred to“acidosis,” which is an increased acidity in the blood and other bodytissue (i.e., an increased hydrogen ion concentration). Acidosistypically occurs when arterial pH falls below 7.35, while itscounterpart (alkalosis) occurs at a pH over 7.45. Any suitablealkalinizing agents may be added to the composition of this disclosure,i.e., compounds capable of preventing changes in pH (i.e., going belowpH<7.35) or capable of restoring pH to physiological levels (i.e.,around pH 7.4) or capable of reversing acidosis.

In an embodiment, the one or more alkalinizing agents may be selectedfrom propionate, bicarbonate, citrate, carbonate, lactate and acetateanions or any salts thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the alkalinizing agent is a propionate anionor any salt therefore and/or acetate. It may be advantageous to addpropionate and acetate to the compositions as taught herein tofacilitate sodium and water absorption in the small intestine as well asproduce energy when metabolized.

In an embodiment the livestock animal may be any livestock animals, forinstance, any domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting forcommercial purposes (e.g., meat, wool, milk, etc.), such as cattle(e.g., beef), sheep, goats, swine, poultry (including egg-producingpoultry and broiler chickens), and equine animals. In an embodiment, thelivestock animal may be any ruminants or any monogastric animals.

In an embodiment, the livestock animal may be a ruminant selected frombovine, ovine and caprine. Non-limiting examples of bovine include bulls(beef), steers, stags, heifers, cows, calves, oxen, and the like.Non-limiting examples of ovine include sheep, mouflon, urial, and thelike. Non-limiting examples of caprine include goat, ibex, markhor andthe like.

In this disclosure, bovine, ovine and caprine animals include bothdomestic and wild bovine, ovine and caprine animals and male and femalebovine, ovine and caprine animals (particularly male bovine, ovine andcaprine animals).

In a preferred embodiment, the livestock animal is a growing bovine,(e.g., steer, heifer or bull destined for meat production.

In an embodiment, the livestock animal may be a monogastric animalselected from poultry (e.g., broiler chickens), swine (e.g., pigs), orhorses. In a preferred embodiment, the livestock animal is poultry,(e.g., broiler chickens, which are chickens reared and prepared for meatconsumption for the broiler industry.

In a further aspect, a concentrate suitable for the preparation of thecomposition as taught hereinabove is disclosed that, when diluted inwater, provides a composition as taught hereinabove, i.e., having apotassium to sodium ratio that is greater than one and that is (as awhole) isotonic or hypotonic. In an embodiment, the concentrate is about5 to 50 times, for instance, 8 to 45 times, 10 to 40 times, 12 to 35times, 15 to 30 times, 17 to 25 times, 18 to 20 times, more concentratedthan the composition as taught hereinabove.

In this disclosure, the concentrate composition may be reconstituted atthe time of use (e.g., just before administering to a livestock animal)by the addition of a solvent (e.g., water) in a suitable amount so thatthe resulting composition has the properties as taught herein.Therefore, it is understood that when the compositions as taught hereinare in the form of “concentrates” or “concentrate compositions,” thecompositions are not immediately suitable for administration to alivestock animal because they must be first reconstituted in a suitableamount of liquid (e.g., water) so as to achieve the characteristics astaught herein, i.e., having a potassium to sodium ratio that is greaterthan one and that is (as a whole) isotonic or hypotonic.

It is also understood that the term “concentrate” or “concentratecomposition” also encompasses instances where the ingredients (e.g.,salts and/or others) of the compositions as taught herein are present inan amount that is about 5- to about 50-fold more elevated, for instance,8- to 45-fold, 10- to 40-fold, 12- to 35-fold, 15- to 30-fold, 17- to25-fold, 18- to 20-fold, preferably about 20-fold more elevated than thesame ingredients (e.g., salts and/or others) present in a compositionready for use, i.e., composition having the properties as taught herein.It is thus understood that such concentrate (e.g., in a dry form orliquid form or gel form) can be diluted in water by a factor of about 5to about 50, for instance, 8 to 45, 10 to 40, 12 to 35, 15 to 30, 17 to25, 18 to 20, preferably about 20, so as to obtain an composition astaught herein, i.e., having a potassium to sodium ratio that is greaterthan one and that is (as a whole) isotonic or hypotonic, and, thus, thatis ready for use, i.e., ready to be administered to, or ready to beingested by, a livestock animal.

In an embodiment, the composition or concentrate as taught herein may bein a dry form (e.g., dry powder, crystals) or gel form or liquid form,preferably liquid form, for instance, aqueous form.

The skilled person knows how to make the compositions as taught herein,as well as concentrates as taught herein, that have the properties astaught herein, i.e., having a potassium to sodium ratio that is greaterthan one and that is (as a whole) isotonic or hypotonic. For instance,the skilled person knows how to dissolve suitable amounts ofelectrolytes, e.g., in the form of salts, and optionally any otheradditional compounds (e.g., gluconeogenic precursor like glycerol and/oralkalinizing agent such as propionate anions or salt thereof, indrinking water so as to arrive at the compositions of this disclosure.For instance, a non-limiting example of a composition having a potassiumto sodium molar ratio of 75:25 can be prepared by adding the followingingredients to one liter of drinking water:

Salt g/Kg product g/L drinking water NaCl 36.27  0.276 Na propionate155.4  1.181 KCl 497.4  3.78 MgAc 310.9  2.36

This results in a composition having the following characteristics:3.63% NaCl; 15.54% Na propionate; 49.74% KCl; 31.09 MgAcetate (MgAc).The mixture obtained has an osmolarity of 200 mosm/L (provided by thetotal amount of electrolytes present in the mixture) and is hypotonic.

Methods of the Disclosure

In a further aspect, a method for preventing or minimizing live bodyweight loss in livestock animals subjected to feed deprivation isdisclosed, comprising the step of:

-   -   administering to the livestock animal an effective amount of the        composition as taught herein at the onset of and/or during        and/or after a period of feed deprivation and/or after the        period of feed deprivation has been ended.

In a further aspect, a method for minimizing carcass weight loss orcarcass yield loss and/or meat quality deterioration is disclosed,comprising the step of:

-   -   administering a livestock animal with an effective amount of the        composition as taught herein within a period of about 0.05 hour        to about 72 hours or about 5 hours to 72 hours, preferably about        12 to about 48 hours prior to slaughter; or within a period of        about 0.05 to about 72 hours, preferably about 1 to about 48        hours prior to transportation from one location to another        location; or within a period of about 0.05 to about 72 hours,        preferably about 1 to about 48 hours after transportation from        one location to another location.

In a further aspect, a method for preventing or minimizing deteriorationof the well-being or health of a livestock animal is disclosed,comprising the step of:

-   -   administering to the livestock animal an effective amount of the        composition as taught herein within a period surrounding        transportation of the livestock animal from one location to        another location, (e.g., within a period before transportation        such as within about 0.05 to about 72 hours, preferably about 1        to about 48 hours or about 1 to about 24 hours prior        transportation; or, e.g., within a period after transportation        such as within about 0.05 to about 72 hours, preferably about 1        to about 48 hours or about 1 to about 24 hours after        transportation; or within a period during transportation, e.g.,        at any time(s) during transportation such as within about 1        minute from the onset of transportation, about 15 minutes from        the onset of transportation, about 30 minutes from the onset of        transportation, about 45 minutes from the onset of        transportation, about 1 hour from the onset of transportation,        about 2 hours from the onset of transportation, and so on. It is        understood that the timing for administering the composition as        taught herein during transportation will depend on the total        duration of the transportation period. In an embodiment, the        composition as taught herein may also be provided during the        entire duration of the transportation period, e.g., ad libitum.        For instance, if the total duration of the transportation period        from one location to another location is 3 hours, then the        composition as taught herein may be administered or made        available to the livestock animal for 3 hours, e.g., ad libitum        during the whole 3 hour-period.

In the methods as taught above, the step of administering thecomposition as taught herein may be performed by any suitable manner.For instance, the composition as taught herein may be provided ordiluted in the drinking water, and thus may be voluntary ingested orswallowed by the livestock animal (e.g., beef or poultry such as broilerchickens).

In an embodiment, the composition as taught herein may be provided oradministered as a drench, where a suitable amount of liquid compositionas taught herein is administered to the livestock animal by pouring itdown the throat.

In an embodiment, the composition as taught herein may be provided oradministered via an injection, e.g., intravenous or subcutaneous, of asuitable amount of liquid composition as taught herein.

In an embodiment, an effective amount of composition is an amount thatis sufficient to prevent or minimize feed deprivation-induced live bodyweight loss and/or carcass weight loss or carcass yield loss, meatquality deterioration and/or deterioration of the well-being or healthof a livestock animal, or that is sufficient to increase carcass weightor carcass yield and/or to improve meat quality and/or to improve thewell-being or health of a test livestock animal administered with suchcomposition and subjected to a prolonged feed deprivation periodcompared to a control livestock animal subjected to prolonged feeddeprivation period and not administered with any compositions oradministered with a composition not as taught herein.

In an embodiment, the period of feed deprivation is about 0.05 hour toabout 72 hours or 5 hours to 72 hours or about 1 hour to about 48 hours,such as, e.g., about 5 to about 72 hours or about 12 hours to about 48hours.

In an embodiment, the compositions as taught herein may be provided oradministered to the livestock animals according to the methods as taughtabove, within a period such as about 0.05 hour to about 72 hours, about5 hours to about 70 hours, about 6 hours to about 68 hours, about 7hours to about 66 hours, about 8 hours to about 64 hours, about 9 hoursto about 62 hours, about 10 hours to about 60 hours, about 11 hours toabout 58 hours, about 12 hours to about 56 hours, about 13 hours toabout 54 hours, about 14 hours to about 52 hours, about 15 hours toabout 50 hours, about 16 hours to about 48 hours, about 17 hours toabout 46 hours, about 18 hours to about 44 hours, about 19 hours toabout 42 hours, about 20 hours to about 40 hours, about 21 hours toabout 38 hours, about 22 hours to about 36 hours, about 23 hours toabout 32 hours, about 24 hours to about 30 hours, about 24 hours toabout 28 hours, or about 24 hours to about 26 hours from the onset offeed deprivation.

In an embodiment, the compositions as taught herein may be provided oradministered to the livestock animals according to the methods as taughtabove, within a period such as about 0.05 hour to 72 hours, about 5hours to about 70 hours, about 6 hours to about 68 hours, about 7 hoursto about 66 hours, about 8 hours to about 64 hours, about 9 hours toabout 62 hours, about 10 hours to about 60 hours, about 11 hours toabout 58 hours, about 12 hours to about 56 hours, about 13 hours toabout 54 hours, about 14 hours to about 52 hours, about 15 hours toabout 50 hours, about 16 hours to about 48 hours, about 17 hours toabout 46 hours, about 18 hours to about 44 hours, about 19 hours toabout 42 hours, about 20 hours to about 40 hours, about 21 hours toabout 38 hours, about 22 hours to about 36 hours, about 23 hours toabout 32 hours, about 24 hours to about 30 hours, about 24 hours toabout 28 hours, or about 24 hours to about 26 hours after the feeddeprivation period has been ended.

In an embodiment, the period of feed deprivation occurs prior toslaughter, for instance, during transport to the slaughter house and/orat the slaughter house. In an embodiment, the compositions as taughtherein may be provided at least within 5 hours, preferably at leastwithin 10, 12, 16, 20 hours, more preferably within at least 24 hoursprior to slaughter.

In an embodiment, the period of feed deprivation occurs prior thetransportation of a livestock animal from one location to another. In anembodiment, the compositions as taught herein may be provided at leastwithin 0.05 hours, such as at least within 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16,20, 24, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 or 72 hours, more preferably within at least24 hours prior to being transported from one location to anotherlocation.

In an embodiment, the period of feed deprivation occurs duringtransportation from one location to another, preferably during theentire transportation period. For instance, if the total duration of thetransportation period is 10 hours, then the total duration of the feeddeprivation period will be 10 hours. In an embodiment, the compositionsas taught herein may be provided at any time(s) during transportationperiod such as within about 1 minute from the onset of transportation,about 15 minutes from the onset of transportation, about 30 minutes fromthe onset of transportation, about 45 minutes from the onset oftransportation, about 1 hour from the onset of transportation, about 2hours from the onset of transportation, and so on. It is understood thatthe timing for administering the composition as taught herein duringtransportation will depend on the total duration of the transportationperiod. In an embodiment, the composition as taught herein may also beprovided during the entire duration of the transportation period (whichis substantially the same as the feed deprivation period), e.g.,composition may be provided ad libitum during the period. For instance,if the total duration of the transportation period from one location toanother location is 10 hours, then the composition as taught herein maybe administered or made available to the livestock animal for 10 hours,e.g., ad libitum during the whole 10 hour-period where the livestockanimal is free to voluntary ingest or drink the composition as taughtherein as many times as desired, during this period.

In an embodiment, the compositions as taught herein may be providedwithin a reasonable period after the onset of feed deprivation, such as,for instance, within 0.05 hours, such as within 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12,16, 20, 24, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 or 72 hours, more preferably within 24hours after the onset of feed deprivation.

In an embodiment, the compositions as taught herein may be providedwithin a reasonable period after the feed deprivation has ended, suchas, for instance, within 0.05 hours, such as within 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10,12, 16, 20, 24, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70 or 72 hours, more preferably within24 hours after the feed deprivation period has ended.

In an embodiment, the compositions as taught herein may be provided to alivestock animal once (only one time) or more than once (e.g., 2, 3, 4,or 5 times or more) just before (e.g., one hour) or at the onset of feeddeprivation, for instance, during the pre-slaughter period, e.g., 5 to72 hours, for instance, 10 to 70 hours, 15 to 65 hours, 20 to 60 hours,25 to 55 hours, 30 to 50 hours, or 35 to 45 hours, preferably about 12hours to 48 hours, for instance, 16 to 44 hours, 20 to 40 hours, 24 to36 hours, or 28 to 32 hours, before slaughter or, e.g., during a periodbefore transportation such as 0.05 to 72 hours, 5 to 70 hours, 6 to 68hours, 7 to 66 hours, 8 to 64 hours, 9 to 62 hours, 10 to 60 hours, 11to 58 hours, 12 to 56 hours, 13 to 54 hours, 14 to 52 hours, 15 to 50hours, 16 to 48 hours, 17 to 46 hours, 18 to 44 hours, 19 to 42 hours,20 to 40 hours, 21 to 38 hours, 22 to 36 hours, 23 to 32 hours, 24 to 30hours, 24 to 28 hours, or 24 to 26 hours before transportation from onelocation to another location

In an embodiment, the compositions as taught herein may be provided to alivestock animal once (only one time) or more than once (e.g., 2, 3, 4,or 5 times or more) just after (e.g., one hour) the feed deprivationperiod has been ended, for instance, after transportation from onelocation to another location, such as within about 0.05 hour to about 72hours, about 1 hour to about 70 hours, about 5 hours to about 70 hours,about 6 hours to about 68 hours, about 7 hours to about 66 hours, about8 hours to about 64 hours, about 9 hours to about 62 hours, about 10hours to about 60 hours, about 11 hours to about 58 hours, about 12hours to about 56 hours, about 13 hours to about 54 hours, about 14hours to about 52 hours, about 15 hours to about 50 hours, about 16hours to about 48 hours, about 17 hours to about 46 hours, about 18hours to about 44 hours, about 19 hours to about 42 hours, about 20hours to about 40 hours, about 21 hours to about 38 hours, about 22hours to about 36 hours, about 23 hours to about 32 hours, about 24hours to about 30 hours, about 24 hours to about 28 hours, or about 24hours to about 26 hours after transportation from one location toanother location (i.e., once arrived at the new location).

In an embodiment, the compositions as taught herein may be provided to alivestock animal once (only one time) or more than once (e.g., 2, 3, 4,or 5 times or more) during the period of feed deprivation, for instance,during the pre-slaughter period (e.g., may include transport to theslaughter house and/or stay at the slaughter house) or duringtransportation from one location to another location (e.g., which doesnot necessarily involve slaughtering the livestock animal once it hasarrived at the new location).

In an embodiment, the compositions as taught herein may be provided to alivestock animal once (only one time) or more than once (e.g., 2, 3, 4,or 5 times or more) before or at the onset of feed deprivation and/orduring the period of feed deprivation, for instance, during thepre-slaughter period (e.g., may include transport to the slaughter houseand/or stay at the slaughter house) or, for instance, before and/orduring being transported from one location to another location (whichdoes not necessarily involve slaughtering the livestock animal once ithas arrived at the new location).

In an embodiment, the livestock animal may be selected as taught above.

Uses

In a further aspect, use of the compositions as taught herein forpreventing or minimizing live body weight loss in a livestock animal(e.g., beef or bull or poultry such as broiler chickens) subjected to aperiod of feed deprivation is disclosed, for instance, during thepre-slaughter period or during a period surrounding transportation fromone location to another location (e.g., before, during and/or after).

In a further aspect, use of the compositions as taught herein forpreventing or minimizing carcass weight loss or carcass yield lossfollowing slaughter of a livestock animal subjected to a period of feeddeprivation is disclosed, for instance, during the pre-slaughter periodor during a period surrounding transportation from one location toanother location (e.g., before, during and/or after).

In a further aspect, use of the compositions as taught herein forpreventing or minimizing deterioration of the well-being or health of alivestock animal or for improving the well-being or health of alivestock animal subjected to a period of feed deprivation is disclosed,for instance, during the pre-slaughter period or during a periodsurrounding transportation from one location to another location (e.g.,before, during and/or after).

In a further aspect, use of the compositions as taught herein forincreasing carcass weight or carcass yield following slaughter of alivestock animal subjected to a period of feed deprivation is disclosed,for instance, during the pre-slaughter period or during a periodsurrounding transportation from one location to another location (e.g.,before, during and/or after).

In a further aspect, use of the compositions as taught herein forpreventing or minimizing deterioration of meat quality or for increasingor improving meat quality after slaughter of a livestock animalsubjected to a period of feed deprivation is disclosed, for instance,during the pre-slaughter period or during a period surroundingtransportation from one location to another location (e.g., before,during and/or after).

In an embodiment, the pre-slaughter period or the periods surroundingtransportation (e.g., before, during or after) or the prolonged periodof feed deprivation are defined as taught herein.

In an embodiment, the livestock animal may be selected as taught above.

All other teaching and advantages as taught above apply herein.

EXAMPLES

Experiment 1: Effect of Aqueous Compositions with Varying Potassium toSodium Ratio on Live Body Weight Loss in Holstein Bulls Subjected to a24-Hour Feed Deprivation Period.

Goal

The goal of this experiment was to assess the effects of varyingpotassium to sodium ratios on live body weight loss in Holstein bullssubjected to a 24-hour feed deprivation period.

Method

Holstein bulls (n=24), aged 7 months were subjected to a 24-hour feeddeprivation period. During the feed deprivation period, the bulls wereindividually housed in pens measuring 2.5 m×3.5 m. The bulls wereindividually weighted twice: 1) one hour prior the onset of the feeddeprivation period and 2) at the end of the feed deprivation period(i.e., at 24 hours after onset). The percentage of body weight loss inresponse to 24-hour feed deprivation period (% BW) for each individualbull was calculated as follows:

[(Body weight at onset of feed deprivation−Body weight at the end offeed deprivation)/Body weight at onset of feed deprivation]×100

Treatment

The bulls were divided into three experimental groups as set out inTable 1 below:

TABLE 1 Experimental groups Experimental groups K:Na ratio 1.Composition 1 75:25 2. Composition 2 40:60 3. Composition 3 25:75

Compositions

Compositions 1, 2 and 3 were made according to Tables 2, 3, and 4,respectively. Specifically, the ingredients were added in the amountsprescribed into one liter of drinking water. The compositions werestirred using a milk shuttle, at ambient temperature, until allingredients were dissolved. The total electrolyte osmolarity was 200mosm/L for compositions 1, 2, and 3.

TABLE 2 Ingredients of composition 1. Amounts Ingredients (g/L of water)Sodium Chloride (NaCl) 0.30 Sodium Carbonate (NaHCO3) 1.06 PotassiumChloride (KCl) 3.88 Magnesium salts from organic acids (MgAc) 2.43

TABLE 3 Ingredients of composition 2. Amounts Ingredients (g/L of water)Sodium Chloride (NaCl) 1.75 Sodium Carbonate (NaHCO3) 1.14 PotassiumChloride (KCl) 2.13 Magnesium salts from organic acids (MgAc) 2.58

TABLE 4 Ingredients of composition 3. Amounts Ingredients (g/L of water)Sodium Chloride (NaCl) 2.51 Sodium Carbonate (NaHCO3) 1.14 PotassiumChloride (KCl) 1.37 Magnesium salts from organic acids (MgAc) 2.58

Experimental Groups

Experimental groups 1, 2, and 3 were offered compositions 1, 2, and 3,respectively, once at the onset of the feed deprivation. Compositionswere offered ad libitum in 10-liter buckets (3 per animal) placed infront of the pen. Buckets were re-filled every 4 hours to assure thatcompositions were available during the entire 24-hour period.Composition intake was measured as follows:

Consumption intake=[weight (kg) of the composition beforeconsumption]−[weight (kg) of the composition after consumption].

Results

The results are depicted in FIG. 1. The results show that bulls thatreceived composition 1 (potassium to sodium ratio of 75:25) lost lesslive body weight after a 24-hour feed deprivation period than bulls thatreceived composition 2 (potassium to sodium ratio of 40:60) andcomposition 3 (potassium to sodium ratio of 25:75). The resultsindicated that electrolyte compositions having a potassium to sodiumratio greater than one work more efficiently at preventing or minimizingfeed deprivation-induced live body weight loss than compositions havinga potassium to sodium ratio lower than one.

Experiment 2: Effects of Aqueous Compositions with Varying TotalElectrolyte Osmolarity on the Live Body Weight of Holstein BullsSubjected to a 48-Hour Feed Deprivation Period.

Goal

The goal of this experiment was to assess the effects of aqueouscompositions having a potassium to sodium ratio greater than one andvarying total electrolyte osmolarity on live body weight loss inHolstein bulls subjected to a 48-hour feed deprivation period.

Method

Holstein bulls (n=24), aged 7 months were subjected to a 48-hour feeddeprivation period. During the feed deprivation period, the bulls werein individually housed in pens measuring 2.5 m×3.5 m. The bulls wereindividually weighted twice: 1) one hour prior the onset of the feeddeprivation period and 2) at the end of the feed deprivation period(i.e., at 48 hours after onset). The percentage of body weight loss inresponse to 48-hour feed deprivation period (% BW) for each individualbull was calculated as in experiment 1.

Experimental Groups

The bulls were divided into four experimental groups as set out in Table5 below:

TABLE 5 Experimental groups Total electrolyte osmolarity (mosm/L ofdrinking Experimental groups K:Na ratio water) 1. Composition 1 00:000.0 2. Composition 2 75:25 100 3. Composition 3 75:25 200 4. Composition4 75:25 300

Compositions

Compositions 1 (pure water), 2, 3 and 4 were made according to Tables 6,7, and 8, respectively. Specifically, the ingredients were added in theamounts prescribed into one liter of drinking water. The compositionswere stirred using a milk shuttle, at ambient temperature, until allingredients were dissolved. The potassium to sodium ratio was fixed at75:25 for all compositions.

TABLE 6 Ingredients of composition 2. Amounts Ingredients (g/L of water)Sodium Chloride (NaCl) 0.14 Sodium Carbonate (NaHCO3) 0.50 PotassiumChloride (KCl) 1.84 Magnesium salts from organic acids (MgAc) 1.15

TABLE 7 Ingredients of composition 3. Amounts Ingredients (g/L of water)Sodium Chloride (NaCl) 0.30 Sodium Carbonate (NaHCO3) 1.06 PotassiumChloride (KCl) 3.88 Magnesium salts from organic acids (MgAc) 2.43

TABLE 8 Ingredients of composition 4. Amounts Ingredients (g/L of water)Sodium Chloride (NaCl) 0.44 Sodium Carbonate (NaHCO3) 1.55 PotassiumChloride (KCl) 5.66 Magnesium salts from organic acids (MgAc) 3.55

Treatment

Experimental groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were offered compositions 1, 2, 3,and 4 respectively, once at the onset of the feed deprivation.

Results

The results are depicted in FIG. 2. The results show that bulls thatreceived compositions 1, 2, or 3 (total electrolyte osmolarity of 100,200, and 300 mosm/L, respectively) lost less live body weight after a48-hour feed deprivation period than bulls that received composition 1(total electrolyte osmolarity of 0 mosm/L). The results indicate thatcompositions having a potassium to sodium ratio greater than one and inwhich the total electrolytes present in the composition have anosmolarity between 100 and 300 mosm/L, work equally well at preventingor reducing feed deprivation-induced live body weight loss.

Experiment 3: Effect of Aqueous Compositions with Varying GlycerolLevels (%) on the Live Body Weight Loss in Holstein Bulls Subjected to a48-Hour Feed Deprivation Period.

Goal

The goal of this experiment was to assess whether varying the amount ofglycerol in the compositions according to this disclosure (i.e., havinga potassium to sodium molar ratio greater than one) influenced theeffect of the composition as taught herein on live body weight loss inHolstein bulls subjected to a 48-hour feed deprivation period.

Method

The bulls were subjected to the same experimental conditions as inexperiment 2 above. The percentage of body weight loss in response to48-hour feed deprivation period (% BW) for each individual bull wascalculated as in experiment 1.

Experimental Groups

The bulls were divided into three experimental groups as set out inTable 9 below:

TABLE 9 Experimental groups Experimental K:Na osmolarity Glycerol groupsratio (mosm/L) (% Vol) 1. Composition 1 75:25 200 0.0 2. Composition 275:25 200 2.0 3. Composition 3 75:25 200 4.0

Compositions

Compositions 1, 2, and 3 were made according to Table 2 above. An amountof 20 ml/L and 40/L ml of glycerol was added to compositions 2 and 3,respectively. No glycerol was added to composition 1.

Treatment

Experimental groups 1, 2, and were offered compositions 1, 2, and 3,respectively, once at the onset of the feed deprivation. Compositionswere offered ad libitum in 10-liter buckets (3 per animal) placed infront of the pen. Buckets were re-filled every 4 hours to assure thatcompositions were available during the entire 24-hour period.Composition intake was measured as follows:

Consumption intake=[weight (kg) of the composition beforeconsumption]−[weight (kg) of the composition after consumption].

Results

The results are depicted in FIG. 3. The results show that bulls thatreceived compositions 2 or 4 (comprising 2% and 4% glycerol,respectively) lost less live body weight after a 48-hour feeddeprivation period than bulls that received composition 1 (comprising 0%glycerol). The results indicate that aqueous compositions having apotassium to sodium ratio greater than one and that further compriseglycerol, work better at preventing or minimizing feeddeprivation-induced live body weight loss than compositions having apotassium to sodium ratio greater than one but devoid of glycerol.

Experiment 4. Effect of Aqueous Composition According to the Disclosureon the Live Body Weight Loss and Carcass Weight Post Slaughter, inHolstein Bulls Subjected to a 48-Hour Feed Deprivation Period. Goal

The goal of this experiment was to compare feed deprivation-induced livebody weight loss and carcass weight loss in Holstein bulls administeredwith the composition as taught herein compared to Holstein bullsadministered with drinking water.

Method

Holstein bulls (n=48), aged 8 months were subjected to a 48-hour feeddeprivation period. During the feed deprivation period, the bulls weregroup housed in pens of 2 animals/pen. The percentage of body weightloss in response to 48-hour feed deprivation period (% BW) for eachindividual bull was calculated as in experiment 1.

Experimental Groups

The bulls were divided into two experimental groups as set out in Table10 below:

TABLE 10 Experimental groups. Experimental K:Na osmolarity Glycerolgroups ratio (mosm/L) (%) Vol) 1. Composition 1 0.0 0.0 0.0 (Puredrinking water) 2. Composition 2 75:25 200 2.0 (aqueous composition)

Compositions

Composition 2 was made according to Table 2 above. An amount of 20 ml/Lof glycerol was added to composition 2. Composition 1 consisted of puredrinking water.

Treatment

Experimental groups 1 and 2 were offered compositions 1 and 2respectively, once at the onset of the feed deprivation. Compositionswere offered ad libitum in 10-liter buckets (3 per animal) placed infront of the pen. Buckets were re-filled every 4 hours to assure thatcompositions were available during the entire 48-hour period.Composition intake was measured as follows:

Consumption intake=[weight (kg) of the composition beforeconsumption]−[weight (kg) of the composition after consumption].

Results

The results are depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5. The results show that bullsthat received composition 2 lost less live body weight after a 48-hourfeed deprivation period than bulls that received composition 1 (see FIG.4). The results also show that after slaughter, carcass weight washigher in bulls that received composition 2 prior to slaughter comparedto bulls that received composition 1 prior to slaughter (see FIG. 5).

1. A concentrate that, when diluted in water, provides a liquid, aqueouscomposition comprising potassium and sodium, wherein the potassium tosodium ratio is in the range of about 65:35 to about 95:05, and whereinthe composition has an osmolarity between about 100 and about 320mosm/L.
 2. The concentrate according to claim 1, further comprising oneor more electrolytes selected from the group consisting of magnesium,calcium, chloride, bicarbonate, acetate, propionate, sulphate andphosphate.
 3. The concentrate according to claim 2, further comprisingone or more gluconeogenic precursor(s).
 4. The concentrate according toclaim 3, wherein one or more gluconeogenic precursor(s) is selected fromthe group consisting of glycerol, propylene glycol, dextrose, lactate, aglucogenic amino acid, and sugar.
 5. The concentrate according to claim4, wherein the glucogenic amino acid is selected from the groupconsisting of alanine, glutamine, glycine, serine, valine, histidine,arginine, cysteine, proline, glutamate, aspartate, asparagine,methionine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, threonine, tyrosine andtryptophan.
 6. The concentrate according to claim 5, wherein theglucogenic amino acid is selected from the group consisting of alanineand glutamine.
 7. The concentrate according to claim 4, wherein thesugar is selected from the group consisting of sucrose and maltose. 8.The concentrate according to claim 1, further comprising an alkalinizingagent.
 9. The concentrate according to claim 8, wherein the alkalinizingagent is selected from the group consisting of propionate, bicarbonate,citrate, carbonate, lactate and acetate anions.
 10. The concentrateaccording to claim 1, that is from about 5 to 30 times more concentratedthan the composition.